Senior Housing Standards Officer in Northam

Senior Housing Standards Officer

Salary: From £44 per hour (DOE)
Type: Temporary – Full Time
Location: Bideford, Devon

We are seeking an experienced Senior Housing Standards Officer to play a key role in protecting tenants, improving housing conditions, and ensuring landlord compliance across the private rented sector.

The post-holder will lead by example, providing expertise and mentorship within the Housing Standards Team, undertaking complex investigations and enforcement activity under housing legislation including the Housing Act 2004 and Renters’ Rights Act 2025. You will also contribute to early intervention work to help prevent homelessness and improve outcomes for residents.

You will work collaboratively with internal teams and external partners and represent the Council at multi‑agency forums.

Key Responsibilities

• Mentor and support Housing Standards / Renewal Officers to deliver high‑quality investigative and enforcement work
• Investigate complaints and assess landlord compliance with housing legislation
• Advise tenants and stakeholders on housing rights and available remedies
• Carry out property inspections and HHSRS assessments, identifying hazards and enforcement requirements
• Enforce housing standards including HMO licensing, empty homes standards and disrepair
• Gather evidence, conduct PACE interviews, and prepare legal enforcement files
• Take enforcement action including improvement notices, prohibition orders, civil penalties and prosecutions
• Work closely with the Housing Options team on cases involving illegal eviction, harassment and unlawful landlord behaviour
• Manage a complex investigative caseload, ensuring timely, proportionate and lawful action
• Contribute to the development of housing regulatory policies, procedures and guidance
• Maintain effective partnerships with Police, Fire Service, health providers, social care and voluntary organisations
• Represent the Council at case conferences, multi‑agency meetings and partnership forums

Qualifications & Training

• Professional qualification and/or substantial experience in housing enforcement or regulatory housing
• HHSRS competency
• Evidence of continued professional development, including knowledge of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
• Good IT skills, including case management systems (e.g. Uniform) and Microsoft Office

Knowledge

• Strong working knowledge of HHSRS, HMO licensing and private sector housing regulation
• Detailed knowledge of housing legislation, including Housing Act 2004 and Renters’ Rights Act 2025
• Knowledge of PACE‑compliant enforcement procedures and preparation of prosecution files
• Understanding of homelessness prevention and tenancy protection
• Awareness of how poor housing impacts health and wellbeing

Experience

• Experience working in a regulatory role within the private rented sector
• Investigating housing complaints and tenancy law breaches
• Conducting property inspections and HHSRS assessments
• Preparing legal documentation for civil penalties or prosecutions
• Managing complex, multi‑agency cases with competing priorities